Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 22, 1993 TAG: 9305240229
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
The effort will get under way at 9 a.m. and conclude in time for a picnic dinner at 6 p.m. for the volunteers. The picnic will be at the large Claytor Lake State Park shelter.
The day-long project has been planned for more than a half-year. "We started this thing back in the fall," said Ward Angle, president of Friends of Claytor Lake. "We're just trying to have a fun time, but to make a dent, too."
People who use the lake - including jet-ski or bass clubs - and who have businesses based around it or who just want to help preserve it formed the Friends group last year. They want to remove debris left from floods from a year ago, and anything else that needs to be cleaned up.
Pulaski County and Appalachian Power Co. are supporting the effort.
"It's just been a lot of leg-work," Angle said. "But it's really paid off, and I think there's really good feelings between the three parties."
Trash bags will be provided at six pickup points for anybody who wants to take a boat out and gather debris. Bags can be returned to any of the pickup points, where Pulaski County will provide trucks to carry them away.
Angle said people will be removing everything from tires to refrigerators - "anything they can pull out."
They will be asked not to remove floating barrels, he said, because they might contain dangerous liquids. Instead, he said, workers should mark each barrel location and report it to Stan Crigger, county emergency services director, so the county can use a device donated by Apco to pick them up for cautious disposal.
"They don't need to fool with those barrels, because you don't know what's inside them," Angle said.
There will also be three coves designated for boats to haul trees and logs from the lake. When a cove is pretty well full, the county will use bulldozers and winches to pull the trees onto land and, once they have dried out, will burn them.
"It takes so doggone long to drag a log behind you, but you have to start somewhere," Angle said.
When volunteers drop off debris from the lake at any of the designated points, they will get a pass allowing them to drive into the state park without having to pay when they come to the evening picnic.
Food for the volunteers' picnic is provided through businesses' and others' contributions.
"We're really looking forward to a big turnout," Angle said. "Everybody, if they'll just do their little bit, we can really make a difference."
Radio station WPSK will broadcast from the lake during part of the cleanup today.
\ Claytor trash pickup points\ \ Bags for gathering Claytor Lake debris today can be obtained and returned when filled to the following sites:
Claytor Lake State Park marina.
Hidden Valley Cove public boat launch.
Harrys Point campground.
Conrad Bros.' Marina.
Shop-Eez near Lohmans Ferry Bridge
Allisonia public boat launch.
Rock House marina.
Near Appalachian Power Co. picnic grounds.
Trees and logs can be pulled to these three sites (team captains will have maps pinpointing them):
The cove belonging to Appalachian Power Co. with flat land leased for grazing across the lake from Claytor Lake State Park beach and cabins (a sign will be posted).
First cove on left once a boat enters Peak Creek from main body of lake.
Barry Moore farm above Lohmans Ferry Bridge.
by CNB